Serving about 5,000 youth annually, The Boys & Girls Club of Porter County recently received a grant for $2,000 from the United Way of Porter County’s Power of Youth Council to help support the Club’s SMART Moves program at Club locations in Valparaiso and Portage. SMART Moves is a nationally acclaimed comprehensive prevention program designed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in response to the urgent need for an effective prevention program for youth. Smart Moves helps young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drugs using small-group activities to help develop skills to resist alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, and premature sexual activity.
Made up of youth from several high schools around Porter County, The United Way Power of Youth works throughout the year to promote causes which benefit young people by hosting various fund raising events. After reviewing grant applications from organizations that try to combat substance abuse among youth ages 5 -18 in Porter County, the Power of Youth selected Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County’s SMART Moves program as a wise investment of its funding.
The Boys & Girls Club of Porter County provides children ages 5 to 18 with affordable quality programming that focuses on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.
The Boys & Girls Clubs offers affordable $25.00 annual membership ($20 at the Duneland Club) with Club sites located in Valparaiso, South Haven, Duneland and Portage. For more information on membership, volunteer opportunities or to make a tax deductible donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, please contact your local Club or call (219) 464-7282 or visit www.bgcpocoorg.